Two former Sri Lanka Test cricketers, Roy Dias and Rumesh Ratnayake have been appointed manager and coach respectively of the Sri Lanka 'A' side for a period of one year from January 18, 1997.
However, the Cricket Board should re-think the appointment of Dias, who came out with top marks at the recently conducted advanced coaching exams by Les Lenham of the National Cricket Association (NCA) of England.
A WASTE
To make him manager would be a waste of his talents, because as coach he has excelled and proved his credentials. He also runs a successful private coaching school.
Ratnayake, who is also a qualified coach, played the role of manager cum coach of the Sri Lanka 'A' team during the home series against West Indies 'A' last November.
The first task of this duo will be to prepare the Sri Lanka 'A' team for the SAAF Quadrangular tournament in Bangladesh from February 19 to 28. The 'A' teams of India and Pakistan, and Bangladesh will take part.
On the same lines, Carlton Bernadus and Hemal Mendis have been appointed as manager and coach respectively of the Sri Lanka under 19 team for a period of one year commencing January 18, 1997.
THREE TESTS
The Indian under 19 cricketers are due to make a tour of Sri Lanka from February 9 to March 9 playing a series of three Tests and three one-day internationals, after which the Sri Lanka under 19 team is due to tour Bangladesh in April to participate in the PILCOM under 19 tournament.
According to Cricket Board sources, these appointments were made based on the recent advanced coaching exams conducted by Les Lenham of the NCA of England.